Combined light and fire alarm casing



A. MERDAN COMBINED LIGHT AND FIRE ALARM CASING Nov. 30, 1937.

Filed 'June 26, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Alexander Merddn ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1937. A. MERDAN COMBINED LIGHT AND FIRE ALARM CASING Filed June 26, 1936 3 Sheets-Shet 2 III p INVENTOR Alexander Alera'an W ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1937. DAN 2,100,90s

COMBINED LIGHT AND FIRE ALARM CASING Filed June 26, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 llll/liflllll, E

III/

INVENTOR Alexander Merdar:

. Patented Nov. 39,1937

coivminnn LIGHT AND FIRE ALARM CASING Alexander Merdan, New York, N. Y. Application June 26, 1936, Serial No. 87,369

' 3 Claims. (c1. rim-7) I This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a combined light and fire alarm casing. I

Specifically, the invention contemplates the construction of a combined light and fire alarm casing which is characterized by a perforated body of several sections, a removable socket and lamp mounted on one of the sections, a bell mounted on another of the sections, and a thermostatic switch mounted on another of the sections.

It is also proposed to connect the lamp, the bell and thermostat to operate in a pre-requisite manner. 7

The invention has for an object a modified construction of the article as mentioned which is characterized by a bell element mounted upon a base member and associated with an electrically operated clapper mechanism arranged to function with or without a signal lamp and operated by a thermostatic switch, and particularly characterized by the provision of opposed housing sections encasing the bell element and adjustably .mounted to regulate the sound emanating fro 25-thebell. I w v A furtherobject is the provision of a tubular casing housing the clapper mechanism and supporting a socket by which the article may be engaged into a conventional electric fixture and saidsocket being associated with said indicatin lamp.

Still further the invention contemplates'various arrangements for the thermostatic switch.

A further object of the invention resides in a combined light and fire alarmconstructed according to a modification of the invention.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, ref-- erence will be had to the following description 'andaccompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

- In the accompanying drawings forming a. ma-

the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

i Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional viewtaken on the line 6-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

the provision of a wiring system associated with.

' section 18 removably connected together.

, Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary bottom view looking in the direction of the line 'l'! of Fig. 2.

Fig. '8 is a sectional view of the thermostatic switch used inthe device.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational View of a combined light and fire alarm casing constructed according to a modification of this invention.

Fig. 10 is a transversesectional view of the device shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line ll' ll of Fig.'10.

Fig. 12 is a. side elevational view of a device constructed according to a modification of the invention, a portion thereof being broken away to disclose interiorparts. I

Fig; 13 is a schematic wiring diagram of a modification of the device.

Fig. 13ais a schematic wiring diagram of the device shown in Figs. 9 to 1.1.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on the line Id -l4 of Fig. 12. v

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken on the line l5--l5 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a schematic wiring diagram of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 16a. is .a portion of Fig. 16 showing the device in a closed position.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of one of the modified devices. I I

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken. on the line -l8'l"8 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a schematic view of another modified form of the invention.

In the form of'the invention shown in Figs.

,1-8 inclusive there is a perforated body which consists of a top perforated section 116, a central perforated section TI, and a bottom perforated The central perforated section Tl has a top wall H and anopen bottom. A lamp socket 19 is mounted onthe top section and is provided with a lamp extended into the section. A bell 8 l is mounted in the central section H. A thermostatic switch 82' is mounted within the bottom section 18. A circuit connects these parts as hereinafter further described.

The top section I6 is formed with a plurality of perforations 16 It is also formed with a flange 16 which threadedly engages on the top of the central section H. An insulation plate 84 is mounted upon the top wall 11- of the central section and serves to insulate the heat from the lamp 8!) from reach of the thermostatic switch 82.

The bell 8| includes an armature 8I which is supported from the top wall H and upon the lower end of which a bell 8| is mounted. This bell is operated by a conventional clapper 8 I and the regular make andbreak apparatus, not shown in detail, upon the drawings. The central section TI is formed with a plurality of perforations Il The bottom section I8 is formed with a plurality of perforations '18 At the top it is threadedly engaged on the lower end of the central section "II. A cup shaped washer 86 is loosely rested in the open top end of the bottom section I8 and supports an inverted insulation cup 81.

Within this cup there is supported a finger grip bracket 88 into which the thermostatic switch 82 may be placed. These fingers are connected up in the electric circuit, as for example, by the lead 89. The cup 81 is'formed with an end contact 99 which is connected with the lead 9I. The leads 89 and 9I extend through internal passages 92 formed along the inner wall of the top section 16.

The thermostatic switch 82 comprises a glass or other insulated receptacle having an internal passage 82 in which mercury 82 or other expandible material is hold. A link contact 89' is connected and supported by the lead 89 and it is through this link that the thermostatic switch is actuated. When in the proper position an electric conductor pin 82 from an intermediate portion of the passage 82 will connect with the link 89, and when the mercury 82 expands sufiiclently it will connect with another terminal 82 adjustably mounted in a removable cap 82 arranged on the top of the insulation body.

A cup 92 is supported on the bottom of the bottomsection 78 by reason of having its side walls engaging therein and several screws 93 mounted through the bottom end of the section ":8 engage slots 94 in the Wall of the cup 92. Several prongs project from the bottom of the cup 92 by which it may be easily moved. The cup 92 has a central opening 96 through which the thermostatic switch 82 may be placed into position and removed from position. Normally, the cup 92 is in the lowered position shown in Fig. 2. If desired, it may be manually moved upwards so that the lower end of the thermostatic switch 82 extends through the opening 96. The switch may then be gripped and removed from the device.

The combined light and fire alarm, according to this invention as shown in Figs. 9 to 11. comprises a base member I0 upon which a bell alarm element H is mounted. An electrically operated clapper I2 is mounted on the bell element II. A tubular casing I3 houses the clapper mechanism, as hereinafter further described. A socket I4 is mounted on the outer end of the casing i3. A thermostatic switch I5 is mounted upon the base member ID. A lamp I6 is supported on the socket I4 and is disposed within the casing I3. A circuit connects the socket, the clapper mechanism and the thermostatic switch in series, and connects the lamp I6 in parallel ashereinafter further explained.

Opposed housing sections I1 and I8 are adjustably mounted on the device and encase the bell element II. The housing section I! is formed with several elongated slots I9 through which holding screws 20 pass. These holding screws engage into the tubular casing I3. Tne housing section I8 is fixedly mounted on the base member IIJ. Each of the housing sections has several olT-set and enlarged portions which extend outwards and towards each other and which form a confined area in which the bell II is housed. The housing section I! may be adjusted towards or from the section I8 so as to completely enclose the bell element, or to provide pre-determined spaces through which the sound may pass.

The base member I0 is constructed of insulation material and has a closed top end II) and an open bottom end. The bell element II is secured by an insulated screw 20 to the closed top Ill of the base member. This screw 29 engages through insulation washers 2| and extends upwards and connects with and supports an iron core 22 of a coil 23. This coil is included inthe clapper mechanism. The clapper I2 is fixed on a resilient arm 24 which is supported on the top of the coil 23. A make and break device 26 is mounted respectively upon the coil 23 and the arm 24. The section upon the arm in a drawn-in position of the clapper breaks the circuit with the section supported on the core 23, and in the extended position of the arm 24 the circuit is closed.

The tubular casing I3 is also constructed of insulation material and is formed with several windows 28 through which the lamp I6 and the light from the lamp may be seen. The casing I3 has its upper end formed with threads 29 which are adapted to receive complementary threads on the base portion of the socket I4. The socket is of conventional construction having an insulated end contact 39 and a metallic shell contact 3I. The lamp I6 is supported upon the insulation material of this socket. a

A web supporting bracket 32 is mounted upon the top of the coil 23.and is adapted to engage theinner face of the tubular casing I3 for frictionally connecting these parts. The tubular-cas-- ing is formed with a slot 33 through which the clapper I 2 projects so that the clapper may strike against the bell. Numeral 34 indicates the electric leads of the device. It should be noted that these leads are within the .device. They pass through aligned openings 35 in the bell element II and in the portion Ill of the base member. Fig. 5 schematically shows the wiring arrangement.

In Fig. 13 a schematic wiring diagram of a modified form of the device is shown. A circuit 34 connects with a socket plug 3| by which the device may be plugged into a live electric circuit. The circuit 34. includes in series the thermostatic switch I5 and the electric bell II. A circuit I04 is arranged in parallel with the circuit 34 and includes in series a switch 39 and the lamp I6. The arrangement is such that when the circuit 34 is operating, should the thermostatic switch close due to a fire or other heat supply causing it to operate, the alarm will sound. If the switch 39 is closed the lamp IE will be illuminated and be a visual alarm. This is a safety device should the alarm II fail. Fig. 13a is a wiring diagram of the form shown in Figs. 9 to 11.

The thermostatic switch I5 comprises a cap 49 which is frictionally engaged upon the base member II]. This cap is formed with a bayonet slot M which is engaged by a clamp screw 42 adjustably mounted on the base member ID. This clamp screw may be loosened and the cap turned for adjusting the thermostatic switch.

There is a scale 43 on a ring 43' which is fixed .on the base member I0 and indicates degrees at which the thermostatic switch is set. The thermostatic switch includes a heat expandible element I-5 adapted when desired to expand and engage a contact I5 on a support 45 secured on opposed housing sections H and i8 is formed sensitive element i5 is mounted upon a disc 55 constituting the end of the cap All. This disc is formed with several openings 47 through which the air may circulate.

' One of the shoulder portions of each of {the with a plurality of apertures 50 through which the sound may pass. A control ring Si is rotatively mounted on each of the housing sections and is formed with alignable openings 50' to control the extent to which the sound may pass. Each of the annular members 5! is associated with a resilient holding means. This resilient holding means comprises several studs 52 mounted upon the housing section and engaging into slots 53 formed in the annular member 5|. The arrangement permits the annular member to be adjusted to control the extent of alignment of the openings 50 and 50'. The dot and dash lines 55 in Fig. 9 indicate a conventional electric socket into which the plug socket It may be threadedly engaged.

In Figs. 12, 14 and 15, a modified formof the invention is disclosed which distinguishes from theprior form merely in the details of construction of the thermostatic switch. According to' this form of the invention the" thermostatic switch comprises a glass mercury heat sensitive element 55 having an internal mercury chamber 58 which communicates with several radially projecting pins 51 adapted to make electric contact with rings 58 adjustably mounted on the exterior of the case of the switch. These rings are connected in the circuit 33. A protecting shell 59 is engaged over the thermostatic switch and is mounted upon the base member lll In other respects this form of the device is identical to the previous form and similar parts may be recognized by the identical reference numerals.

The operation of the device is as followsz In the event of fire or for some other reason a sumcient amount of heat is generated, the

thermostatic switch. will operate to close the electric circuit. Instantly, the clapper mechanism is set into operation and sounds the bell. The lamp I5 is illuminated if the switch 39 is closed and serves to further indicate the presence of excess heat. In order that the alarm may' be modulated the housing sections l1 and I8 may be adjusted to pre-determined positions so as to dampen the radiation of the sounds from the bell; If ,a loud alarm is desired the passage between the housing sections is increased to the maximum, and in addition the openings 50' and 50' are aligned. If a toned-down sound is desired the openings 50 and 50' are straddled and the housing sections H and is are brought'toether.

In Figs. 16-19 inclusive-a modified form of the invention has been disclosed in which the combined light and fire alarm device comprises 'an insulating casing 52 adapted to be secured down on ceilings and walls with a screw 63. From one side of the casing an indicating lamp I6 is mounted. Within each of the casings there is a thermostatic switch I5 These devices are connected in series by a circuit which receiveselectricity through a conventional plug 66 intended to be connected with a house or other electric circuit. The thermostatic switches l5 are connected with each other by thermostatic element l5. These elements are merely conductors for heat so that heat from the vicinity may be conducted to the thermostatic elements.

In the normal position of each thermostatic switch E5 the circuit 65 is open. When the thermostatic switch l5 becomes heated it expands and extends across the open circuit 65 closing the circuit and setting the device into operation. An electric bell 68 is connected in a circuit 69 connected in parallel with the circuit 65.

In Fig. 19 another form of the invention is shown in which a mercury thermostatic switch 15 is. used to operate the device. This mercury switch has several live terminals'fill and 69' which are connected in a circuit Hi. This circuit I0 includes the plug ii for engaging a socket over an electric system. The bell I6 is connected in the circuit l0 and also in the lamp circuit in.

The arrangement is such that when the thermostatic switch 15 is heated the circuit H3 is closed and the bell as well as the lamp will be set into operation. a

While I have illustrated and described the pre- '20 T ferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as 'defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:-

1. In a combined light and fire alarm casing, a base member, a bell mounted thereon, a clapper mechanism coaxially mounted on said bell, a tubular casing supported on said clapper mechanism and'encasing said clapper mechanism and being slightly spaced from said base member forming a space through which the edge portion of said bell projects, a housing section fixedly mounted on said base member and partly encasing said bell, and a second housing section adjustably mounted on said tubular casing and being adapted to cooperate with said housingsection to completely encase said bell, whereby said adjustable housing section may be adjusted and held in a fixed position in relation to said housing section to control the amount of sound that will emanate from said device.

2. In a combined light and fire alarm casing, a base member, a bell mounted thereon, a clapper mechanism coaxially mounted on said bell, a tubularcasing supported on said clapper mechanism and encasing saidclaper mechanism and being slightly spaced from said base member forming a'space through which the edge portion of said bell projects, a housing section fixedly.

inounted on said base member'and partly encasing said bell, and a second housing section adjustably mounted on said tubular casing and being adapted to cooperate with said housing section to completely encase said bell, whereby said" adjustable housing section may be adjusted and held in a fixed position in relation to said housing section to control the amount of sound that will emanate from said device, said adjustable mounting, comprising holding screws freely passing through elongated slots in said second housing section and'threadedly engaging openingsin said tubular casing. I

3. In a combined light and fire alarm casing, a basemember; a bell mountedthereon, a clapper mechanism coaxially mounted on said bell, a 70 I 10 formed in said housing sections and having spaced apertures therethrough, control rings rotatively mounted on said shoulder portions and having spaced apertures alignable with said apertures,.

whereby the apertures in said control rings may be positioned with relation to said apertures in said shoulder portions to control the volume of sound that will emanate from said device when said housing sections are closed.

ALEXANDER MERDAN. 

